This is the perfect chance for you to help a great cause and obtain a little piece of Deborah’s stunning beauty and attach it to your wall. The Vault is auctioning the following items:

- Unique portrait signed & PERSONALIZED for you by Deborah. You will also receive a HANDWRITTEN PERSONAL note from Deborah.

- SFX UK Magazine: double vampire and True Blood issue signed by Deborah Ann Woll, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer.

The auction ends on Sunday July 17. eBay: http://r.ebay.com/U3mHUf

“I am  involved in The Choroideremia (CHM) Research Foundation. My boyfriend suffers from CHM, a degenerative eye disease. Essentially, he is going blind, as are the other male members of his family that are affected. I am merely an advocate for the foundation hoping to raise awareness and funds for a treatment or cure, of which there is none at this time. You can read up on it at www.curechm.org.” Deborah explained in a recent interview.

1. She’s a natural blond!
2. To prepare for her role as Jessica, Deborah watched lots of animal attack footage.
3. She’s an advocate for people with Choroideremia.
4. Her favorite show is Mystery Science Theater 3000.
5. She perfected a southern drawl in just five days.
6. She thinks fear is sexy.
7. She has Celiac disease.
8. She met her boyfriend online!
9. Deborah’s from The Big Apple, but she gets no sleep ‘til Brooklyn, her home sweet home!
10. She’s a former Vogue model.

Too see the commentary on each of these items, go to the source.

I’m sure most of you know about True Blood’s Deborah Ann Woll’s boyfriend, EJ Scott who’s been diagnosed with Choroideremia and has been fighting for a cure for several years now.
Well our friends at the Choroideremia Research Foundation have requested our help…

What do they need??? Just your vote!

For what…for whom???
Jeff Benelli, CHMer and a semi-finalist in the Energizer Bunny ‘Keep Going’ Hall of Fame!

Jeff Benelli trains in Chicago for an upcoming marathon

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE…

Kansas City resident Jeff Benelli was today announced a semi-finalist in the Energizer Bunny ‘Keep Going’ Hall of Fame – which celebrates people who make a positive impact and inspire the world through their perseverance, determination, and boundless energy. Benelli, who is legally blind, having been diagnosed with the degenerative eye disease Choroideremia (CHM), has run a total of six marathons in the past five years while raising more than $106,000 to fund a cure for himself, his nephew, and others.

“This is an incredible accomplishment, and I am truly honored to place among the top 100 applicants in the Energizer Bunny ‘Keep Going’ Hall of Fame,” says Jeff Benelli. “However, I am even more honored to be recognized for raising awareness and funding for a cause that not only has the potential to save what’s left of my eyesight – but the sight of my 11-year-old nephew and so many others out there who are going blind because of this disease.”

Benelli has completed 6 marathons since 2005, finishing in the top 7% of his age class in each, and has raised more than $106,000 for the organization currently funding research for a cure – the Choroideremia Research Foundation (CRF). The CRF, which aims to support scientific research for a treatment or cure for CHM, has recently announced notable progress in the search for a cure – and plans to fund Phase 1 of the FDA-required clinical trials in December of 2012. These trials mark an important first step in the process to research, establish and provide a cure.

If named a finalist, Benelli will win a $1,000 donation to the charity of his choice, the CRF. The grand-prize winner will win a $5,000 donation, $10,000 cash, and a trip to St. Louis, Missouri. If named the grand-prize winner, Benelli plans to donate the entire $10,000 to the CRF.

Facebook users will choose one of the ten finalists by visiting facebook.com/energizer starting March 17, 2011 and voting for their favorite candidate. Once the finalists have been announced on April 4, 2011, individuals can visit www.energizer.com/halloffame to place their vote for the grand-prize winner. For more on Jeff and his complete story visit jeffbenelli.com.

Vote for Jeff Benelli to raise awareness for the CRF!!

(On the FB page hit CLICK TO VOTE then type Jeff’s name in the search bar)

For more information on Choroidermia, visit Choroideremia.org

The Vault is auctioning a signed edition of Details magazine to benefit the Brentwood Theatre. An awesome piece of memorabilia for any Stephen Moyer fan, the magazine contains the infamous photo shoot and interview with Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard and Ryan Kwanten. Also, find out about the elusive multiple orgasm… for dudes!

Find out more about the auction over at the Vault.

The auction ends on January 19th, 2011, so get on over to eBay and bid!

The 2nd item up for bid is a signed copy of Club Dead by Charlaine Harris. EJ Scott (Deborah Ann Woll’s boyfriend) is auctioning the book with all proceeds going to the Choroideremia Research Foundation. Thanks to Jenna over at alexskarsgard.net for the heads up on this one.

This auction is over on January 17th. To bid, please go to eBay auction.

EJ, Deborah Ann Woll’s boyfriend, is auctioning  CLUB DEAD, Charlaine’s third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series that was re printed with the cast of the third season of TRUE BLOOD on it. He got Alan Ball, Charlaine Harris and the Cast to sign the book at Comic Con 2010 in San Diego before they took the stage for their panel.

100% of what is donated (minus paypal fees) will be going to the Choroideremia Research Foundation. The item was signed to help Deborah Ann Woll’s boyfriend who has the disease and is going blind from it as well as his little brother and 6 year old nephew. Visit www.curechm.org for further info on the disease and research.

Bid for it on Ebay

Deb and E.J./photo by lynnpd

EJ Scott, who we all know as Deborah Ann Woll’s boyfriend, is going to be very busy this weekend and all you True Blood fans in Chicago are going to benefit from it.

On Sunday, October 10th, after months of training, E.J. will be running in his first 26 mile marathon, but he won’t be running like the other participants. He’ll be doing it blindfolded! As a side effect of the disease, E.J.’s eyes are really sunlight sensitive. So much so that he needs to be blindfolded for the Marathon. The Chicago Marathon starts at 7:30AM so be there to support E.J.

And on Monday, October 11th, E.J. will be hosting “Comedy For A Cure” a benefit improv show for Choroideremia at the Annoyance Theater and Bar. If you can find your way to 4830 N. Broadway and pay the $10 cover charge, you get to experience an arm’s length of top-notch performers gather for one night only starting at 8PM.

E.J. is an alumni of The Annoyance and most recently understudied in the hit sketch show, “Swear Jar.” E.J. hopes you will all come and support the cause and don’t forget to look around your house and bring something to donate for the raffle. Gift card, DVD, CD, book, etc.

E.J. Scott, 34, found out he was going blind from Choroideremia when he was 27 years old. His brother, 16 at the time, was also diagnosed. E.J.’s 5 year old nephew was diagnosed at age 1.

Choroideremia is a degenerative and hereditary eye disease that attacks the peripheral vision and slowly erodes it over time until complete blindness. There is no cure or treatment at this time, but doctors believe a treatment is close if the funding can happen.

For further info on CHM please go to www.curechm.org.

Deborah Ann Woll's dad won this tee.

What were the surprises you ask? The event started off with Aemac and me changing our clothes in an empty parking lot. Wow that takes me back. I hadn’t been in the back of a car undressed in many a moon. Anyway undressing seemed to be contagious as the next thing we saw when we got to the venue is another attendee changing his shirt in that parking lot. We waved cash; he refused to take off more unless we had a blue light to shine on him. Ah well, we tried. We were greeted at the door by Cory Macdonald and his lovely wife Karen. Cory suffers from Choroideremia and works as the Operations Manager for the CRF seemingly without ever losing his energy or sense of humor. Another surprise you ask? Deborah was out… IN THE DAYLIGHT!!! Come to think of it, I never did see Deb in the sunlight, she was inside and the lights were somewhat dimmed. Hmm makes you wonder….

The best part of the day was easily meeting all the people there. E.J and his family were warm and friendly and made you immedialty feel like you were family as well. Deb and E.J both couldn’t have been more gracious. Deb was pleasant and displayed endless patience with people asking to take her picture and sign an autograph. In fact, Deb initiated a conversation with Aemac after a rather shall we say lively auction competition between the two of them. The aforementioned conversation I of course in my covert yet pushy manner joined without trouble.

The auctions which were both silent and live generated a good deal of laughter and spirited bidding. There were some beautiful baskets donated, one of them by The Nest. There was also some signed sports memorabilia and collectible dolls and… wait for it… wait for it… True Blood T-shirts and DVDs signed by Deborah Ann Woll. In fact both Deb’s dad and mom bid for and won a signed True Blood t-shirt. Deb bid and won a copy of a necklace Anna Paquin owns that The Nest donated and upon winning, Deb’s enthusiasm was just adorable, fist pumping and everything. Aemac was crushed she didn’t win the HBO “Rome” DVDs, Deborah outbid her. She was able to recover quickly though with a rapid infusion of Amstel Light. The entire evening was exciting and fun and raised a lot of money for a very worthy cause. If you would like to donate you can go to the link on the sidebar or click on the link below to go directly to the donation page of the CRF.

choroideremia.org

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book is going to The Choroideremia Research Foundation. If you are not familiar with Choroideremia, it is a disease that effects the peripheral vision and over time, results in blindness. EJ Scott, our baby vamp Jessica, played by Deborah Ann Woll’s boyfriend, is effected by this disease along with thousands of other families. you can read more about the CRF, HERE.  If you want to go get your Goth on, check out this book. The artistry is beautiful.

Order Book

Sanguis Vitam Est - The Blood Is The Life, Photo credit: Justin Kates

Today we’re here to announce that CRF has put together a new store where you can go and not only get a cool CRF item, but your dollars will go toward finding a cure for this disease.

Cory of the CRF has provided a press release announcing the grand opening for their store. Look for more items to be added in the weeks to come.

So get on over to the CRF store, buy a tie or one of the other cool items and help these blind guys out will ya?

You can find out more about Choroideremia at the CRF website.

EJ and Deb

On behalf of the Choroideremia Research Foundation and True Blood News at the Nest we would like to thank all the fans that contributed to EJ Scott’s “Dropping Calories for the Cure,” campaign. EJ has reached his goal and has brought in around $14,000 in donations and counting. True Blood News at the Nest and Bill’s Wiki’d Women are proud of the $3,500 dollars that we have helped bring in – and donations continue to grow.

EJ is not stopping there – now he is “running for the cure” in the Chicago Marathon. Running seems easy enough to us, but if you’re EJ Scott it’s very challenging. He will be running the marathon blindfolded due to the extreme sensitivity his eyes have to light as a result of the disease. You can keep yourself updated with EJ’s progress by visiting his facebook page or his blog

FaceBook
Blog

Those of you that know me, know that I have attached myself to this cause and won’t let go. When you look at EJ and my friend Cory MacDonald, you see grown men struggling with a disease that threatens to rob them of one of life’s most precious gifts – the gift of sight.

As a mother, when I look at Cory and EJ, I see two children that struggled growing up. Two children that have never driven a car, never seen a star and now, darkness is closing in even more as they age. What we have to remember, is this ugly disease starts at birth. Choroideremia is an inherited disorder that causes blindness due to degeneration of the choroid and retina. When EJ’s sister sent us an email with a kind thank you and an attached file, my heart was not prepared when I opened the attachment. Staring back at me, were two little boys, one with big blue eyes and the other with light brown eyes and only two baby teeth. Choroideremia affects this family and many others in a profound way because it CAN be cured. But, like anything else, they need funding to achieve the cure.

Fundraising does not have to stop at EJ and True Blood.

Our own Aem was present with Cory at the Beerfest fundraiser where we donated several items for auction. Liv, Aem, KF and myself escorted Cory around EYECON where we donated several items to be raffled off including a signed True Blood beverage (by: Allan Hyde, Ashley Jones, Sam Trammell, Nelsan Ellis and Todd Lowe), T-shirts and more. And recently, Cory came to my home town where my husband and I entered our Bluesmobile in the local parade for the Choroideremia Research Foundation. We have more things coming…

Cory and The TB-News ladies @ EYECON

"The Blues Brothers for the Cure" - Cory and Matt

You can do other things as well – it doesn’t have to stop at this article. Your donation does not have to be money, donate your time. Call your local Barnes & Noble bookstore and sign up to wrap presents for the holidays. Wrap grifts with some friends and send the donations to the CRF. This is one of the simple things that you can do and I am sure if you reach out to your community, get creative, you can do much more. If you do – we want to know. We will highlight your fundraiser for the CRF in an article and interview you. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support.

CHM

You can donate by clicking here:

Send Check to the address below – if you are supporting someone, add their name in the memo section.
The Choroideremia Research Foundation
23 East Brundreth St
Springfield MA 01109